Cable release for camera shutters



Jan 3, 1950' s. A. RUSSELL A 2,493,728

CABLE RELEASE FOR CAMERA SHUTTERS Filed May 2, 1947 v 2 Sheecls-Sheet l Irma; VI:

Jam, 3, 1950 s. A. RUSSELL 294937728 CABLE RELEASE FQR CAMERA SHUTTERS Filed May 2, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet .2

gate". 7

IN VEN TOR.

fatentecl Jan. 3, 1 950 Stanley A. Russell, Baldwin, N...:.Y., zassignor :of one-third to Walter'A. Campbell; Valatie,N...Y.

Application May 2, 1947, Serial'N0f745,525

The invention comprehends a cable release for actuating the-shutter of a'camera.

An object' of the invention is to provide a'cablerelease actuatingmechanism that is actuated in 'timedrelation to the actuation of a generator and which is'adjustable'to secure the proper synchronization of the "energization of a "photographicflash"bulband the actuation of the-shutter of a camera. An additional object of the invention is to'provide a cable release in which the action of the cable is constant in operation re- "gardless of the curvature thereof. Another object of the invention isto provide acable releasewhich acts 'onthe shutter ofa'camera through-a shock absorbing arrangement.

' The foregoing objects and :certain advantages .of' theinvention. that willheieinafter appearv are realized in'the embodiment of the .invention illustrated intheaccompanying' drawings and'described "in detail below; from" which description" a "clearer understanding of the" invention may be had.

' The drawingsinclude Figures 1; ,4, 5,7-and 6 constitute'transversesections respectively-on lines I, 4, 5 and 6 ofFigureZ.

Figure zshows' a front elevation ofthe fitting onthe camera; end of the self-compensating'cab'le, the housing or shellibeing broken away revealing 'part of theinterior construction.

"Figure 3 is a longitudinal'section taken approximately on line 3, Fig. 2.

Figures 7, 8 and 10.;are 1 transverse sections taken 'respectively'ron lines 1, Band II) ofiFig. 1'2. Figure 9 is a fragmentary diagrammaticalview showing therel'ation ofthe paw1'94to the ratchet I '"8 8. duringone cycle'of its operation.

Figure 11 is-a longitudinal section taken approximately on line II of Fig. 12, showing indetail the'relation "of'the clutch end of the" self-compensating'c'able to that part of the flash gun mechanism which operates it.

Figure 12 is a fragmentary elevation of a flash 'gun'housing on'which the clutch end of the self- 8 Claims. (01. 744502) "assembledcasing is'locatedthe-rod I I0 which is compensating cable'is mounted forioperationin H *conjunctionwith the flash gun.

The casing orhousingis made'u-p of fitting I01 over which coupling fitting I I6 is spun as shown at I I 6 in'such manner that fitting Iii'ixcan be screwed intothe camera shutter, withoutturning the fitting I I6. The upper portion of sheathing I05 is perm'anently attached to nipple I06 which in turn is connected to fitting I I6 by'the coupling I I1. Thesmaller-sheathingBB is permanently 'attached to larger sheathing'lfliand to'the nipple I02 in the-manner-shown in Fig; 3. Within the Y preferably cylindrical and isprovided with diametriczilly opposed slots I3I and I 32. Springs I29 and-"I30 of fiat'strip stock are riveted to red I II! with"rivetI-33. The free ends of-these springs are provided with lateral projections I21 and I28 "extending outwardly 'therefrom and are adapted to releasably engage "co-operating shoulder portionsof'the tube I2I-at'location'I'22. Whenthe springs are pressed fiatagainst'the bottom of the slots :I3I and"I32"the "lateralprojections are 'within thet'diameter ofrrod III] and will'slide down the tube I2 I. The tensiomof these springs is such as to hias'th" lateral projections' out of" the-slots I3I and I32. The inner tube-or'casing II-B, I2I and I 2215' clamped in the position shown, that is, between the"threadedend-'offitting H6 and the "fiangell 8 ofthenipple" H16 bythe flanged nut I I1. :Therro-d :I III isj1slidable-within the small end of "tube ".I 2 I The apertured "flanged disk is 'slidable within tube 'l Ilkandis riveted to rod I Itlas indicated-at" III). This flanged disk-retains the helical spring I'26: adjacentitherod I I0. This 'i'spring exertsits"thrust against the-disk I24' and shoulder-I22. It can-now be seenthat if the rod "IIflispushed in'yagainst thethrust ofspring I26 "to' the-positionshown inFig. 3 that the lateral projections I'2T'an'd- I-28"wil1'move outwardly and "engage 'theshoul-der I22 thereby-locking the red "I II] in theposition. shown. "Thethreaded piece lll8'ispermanentlyattached to the strand or cable99 and serves to connect thecable'to'the r'e'leaseplunger I34 and I31. This "release plungenslides freely-within the inner ,di- *ameter of"tube 'l'l 9xand also over rod III]. The 'pin 125"extends'through ro'd 'I'II'I'and into elongated-slots I'35ian d I'36'of'thep1unger I34. The slida'b le pin *lI2ns1ides freely "in thethreaded tip ,114 and is-provi'dedwithgahead H5. The spring I I I'eXerts a lightthru'st onthe head I I5 sufllcient -on-1y*to-supportthe weight of-the pin I IZ-and retain it lightiy'in contact with the shutter operating-crank or lever (not-shown) At the otherend of-thedevice, the end is attached to'thefia'shgun' or' other means of operaexisting between cable and sheathing as a result of flexing will be compensated within the sheathing. It can also be understood that if the spring tension of spring 95 exceeds that of spring I09 this slack will be absorbed by pulley 84 which will rotate slightly in either direction to absorb from or supply to the sheathing and cable the required compensation. The sliding member or plunger I31 will remain in the drawn in position shown in Fig. 3 until released by the camming action of plunger I34 as it is advanced toward the shoulder I22.

The cylindrical shaft 38 is a stationary member of a flash gun or other equivalent means. It is mounted cenrally between frame members 9 and I of the flash gun or the like. Hub 50 is a portion of a rotative mechanism of the gun and it is journaled over stationary shaft 38. Disk 49 is keyed to hub 50 and held in position by nut 5I. The stationary plate 88 is journaled about hub 58 on its inner diameter while the outer diameter is keyed to the frame strips or members 9 and I0. This plate also is provided with a semi-circular slot 83 located as shown in Fig. 8. The stud 82 is riveted to plate 49 and extends into slot 83. It can now be seen that hub 58 will be limited in its rotation over or about shaft 38 to the range of the slot 83 or to substantially 180. The hub 50 is subjected to spring tension urging it in the direction of arrow 49' for operating the gun. The gun is wound or loaded by turning the knob 8 in the direction indicated by the arrow 8 and is retained in loaded position by ratchet mechanism (not shown) until a release button also not shown is operated.

In respect to the operation of the cable device it is necessary to note only that hub 50 oscillates through 180 and that the loaded or wound position is with stud 82 in position 83 and that the unwound position is with stud 82 at 83. Fig. 8 shows the hub 50 in mid-position, so that, it could be shown in section in Fig. 11. Plate 81 is keyed to frame members 9 and III in the same manner as described for plate 80. The central portion of this plate is removed as indicated at 91 and 91' to provide a guiding surface for cam tip 93 of pawl 92. The pulley 84 with the ratchet 88 attached to it by rivets 84 is journaled about hub 58. The spring 85 is keyed to pulley 84 by an extension of rivet 84 .The outer end of spring 85 is keyed to plate 49 by pin 8Il and the tension of this spring is such as to cause pulley 84 to absorb all cable slack and hold release member I35 in the retracted position shown in Fig. 3, at all times except when acted upon by the pawl 92. Disk 99 is movable on hub 50 and is provided with a set screw 9| in the hub portion thereof and serves to key this member or disk 90 to the hub 58 in a regulatable angular relation. Pawl 92 is pivoted on the disk 90 by rivet 89. This pawl has a laterally projecting cam tip 93 extending upwardly into engagement with the inner surfaces 91 and 91' of plate 81. The spring 95 thrusts the pawl tip 89 toward engagement with ratchet teeth 88. The surfaces 91 and 91' are radially equidistant from the central shaft 38 and are of such proportions that cam 93 will hold the pawl tip 89 out of engagement with ratchet 88 while it is riding over surface 91' but will provide for engagement while on surface 91. The spring which operates the hub 58 in the direction of the arrow 49 is sufficiently strong to operate the flash gun generator and overcome the thrust of spring 85 actuating the pulley 84.

When the flash gun has been operated the stud 82 is in position 83 To re-operate it the large knob 8 is rotated 180 in the direction of arrow 8 or counter to 49'. During this winding or loading operation the pawl 92 is rotated counter clockwise from position 92 to 92 The tip 89 moves over the ratchet teeth but does not engage them. When fully wound the pawl is again off the ratchet as shown at 92 so that the pulley is again free to regulate the cable until the instant of operating the device. The flash gun is now operated by pressing a release button not shown which releases the hub 50 which is under spring tension and then the hub 58 moves rapidly through the range of slot 83 in the direction of the arrow 49. The disk 98 moves with hub 58 and consequently pawl 92 rotates clockwise as indicated in Fig. 9 from position 92 to 92 The pawl tip 89 engages the ratchet 88 when the cam 93 is in position 93 and remains in contact with the ratchet for the angular contact duration of surface 96 on the cam 93. During the period of engagement of pawl 92 and ratchet 88 pulley 84 is rotated counter to the thrust of the spring and spring I99 is free during this period to push sliding plunger or member I31 upwards to- Ward the lateral projections I21 and I28 and as it strikes these projections it forces them in wardly until the upper edges slide off the shoulder I22 thereby releasing spring I26 to force the rod I I8 upwardly to actuate the pin I I2.

The tension of spring III is sufficient only to support the weight of pin I I2 consequently when the fitting is screwed into the shutter of the camera, the camera shutter lever forces pin H2 inwardly against the very light tension of spring Ill. The pin is forced outwardly again when the cable device is operated and the rod H0 is forced upwardly. The pin H2 and spring III may be regarded merely as a cushioning device and may be dispensed with in some cases.

The cable 99 is thus always under tension, and when through the action of the pawl 89 and the ratchet 88 the cable is released from the tension of the spring 85, the spring I89 moves the cable to shutter-release position. With this arrange ment, wherein the cable is always under tension, and in which the movement to shutter-release position is effected by action of a spring adjacent the end of the cable, there is no variation in the time'regardless of whether the cable is straight or curved.

From the foregoing description of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that by this invention there is provided a cable release that is constant in operation regardless of curvatures and that does not transmit shock to the camera.

It can now be readily understood that I have produced a spring controlled system for a cable in which the cable is constantly under tension and thereby preventing the accumulation of slack in the cable at any time. The controlled system includes three principal and distinct springs without including the cushion spring III. The volute spring 85 is mounted in a housing which constitutes a portion of the flash gun casing. The volute spring is connected to the pulley 84 and when this volute spring is under its heavier tension it assists the spring I99 in compressing the spring I26 and thereby restores the slidable plunger element I34 to an initial position as shown in Fig. 3. The elements H8 and I34 are slidably united for limited movement whereby the plunger element I34 in combination with the annexes springs l e-9 and 'l--3'0 -can1force the spring I26 inia reset positionand thereby utilizingthe shoulder J22 andxthe -lateralii projections 21 and 1:28 of springs 129 :and l30. At this juncture it can be observed :that the spring I26 positively actuates the cameras shuttenwhen the springstlrzil and I30 Itzwill: be. obvious that various changes may-be madelby those skilledin' thesart in. the details of theiembodiment pix-the invention'illustrated in the drawing and describedin detail above within the principleand scopeofthednvention as ex- .pressed'in the appended claims.

.Iclaim:

.1. vAcamera shutterl control means comprising a .flexible sheathing having a flexible cable therein, in .icombination iwith Sthree principal springs :and a .plungenwsaid plunger comprising .slidably connected .plunger elements including meansto limit :thesliding movement of saidelements, in further. combination with auxiliary. release springs on one ofisaidplunger elements, one of .said11:prir[cipa-1 springs comprising a 'volute spring located in ":a housing. and "connected throughthe mediumiof a pulleyadirectly to one end of the: cable, the. other: end of: the cable being connected :directlyto 'lthe other .slidable element of said plunger, another ofsaid principal springs being centered around .one plunger :element and .exertingelongated tension "onits surrounding element, said other*principalspring comprising a flexible. helical compression spring located within the sheathing and surrounding theflexi'blecable,

said'flexible.springlbeingarranged to actuate the cable and the other slidable element of the plunger when sufiiciently'releasedby the release of the volute spring.

2."In a camera shutter control means comprising a flexible sheathing having a flexible cable therein, in combination with a'tubular casing directly connected to said-sheathing, a pulley within ahousing, said cable being directly connected atone of its ends torsaid pulley and the opposite .end of the cableubeing connected directly to..a .plunger located Within the'tubular casing, in further combinationwith threeprinvcipal .controlled springs which are combined structurally to maintain the cable in a taut condition within the sheathing, one of-said principal springs comprising a volute spring connected directly to the pulley for actuating the same and the cable connected thereto, another of said principal springs being centered around one element of said plunger and exerting an elongating tension thereon for actuating the camera shutter, said plunger comprising slidably connected elements provided with means therein to produce limited movement between said elements, in further combination with auxiliary release springs connected directly to one of said plunger elements, said other plunger element having means thereon to release the auxiliary springs and there by provide for the actuation of the camera shutter, theremaining;principal spring being .a hell- :cal :fiexible construction located Within the sheathing and surrounding the cable therein, said last named :principal spring "exerting pressure on oneiof.saidaslidable'plunger:elements .and actuating said element when sufilciently released from the 'tensioncreated loyathe'volute spring.

3. In a 'camera shutter :control means comprising: a 'rflexible. sheathing connected at zone .of its ends to. a tubular .casingand'at its opposite end=to a support adjacent a cylindrical housing, thesubstructure comprising a tubular casing containing 'slidably relatedxplunger. elements therein, said casingalso containing. therein an additional tubeiincluding .a'fianged end-portion and an-in- .termediate .ishoulderg portion, said 'fianged end portion being directly :connected 'to said tubular casing and anipple by a flanged nut, one of said plunger elements having a diskon one end thereof arranged in :an aopposed relation to said shoulder, axcompression spring centered about .said element and resting-onpsaid shoulder at one of its. ends and exerting pressure on the diskat its other end, said element also being provided with auxiliary release:springs, saidrelease springs having'lateral projections adapted to releasably engage said shoulden-itheiother plunger element being hollow :and provided with :means to releasablydisengagethe.auxiliary springs from said shoulder.

4. The construction iSet :forth' in claim 31in which one end of the tubular casing is'provided witha threaded nipple ii'iorming a guide fora :slidable pin, said pinrhaving ,a .head thereon within the casing andloca'ted in'opposed relation to thediskin combination with. alightcushioningspringlocated between .saidihead and said disk whereby said pin ismaintained in. lightrphyvsical contact with the camera shutter lever.

5..In a camera rshutterzcontrol means, said means comprising L aifiexible sheathing having. a flexible cable therein, .:in combination with a tubular casing, a housing land a pulley,'.in further combination .with r.three "co-operative principal springs and ia'plunger comprising slidably related. plunger elements, :said elements being connected to provide for limited sliding movement, one ofsaid principalsprings'being located in the housing .andb eing directly connected'wi-th acontrol meansincl-uding the pulley also located in saidhousing, one end of said cable beingdi- .rectly connected to said control means within said housing, the other 'end of said cable being connected to cneof said plunger elements-a second principal 1 spring being centered around said plunger element, said last named plunger element having an apertured disk riveted-thereto, :an additional tubular member located in said tubular casing and surrounding said plunger element, said tubular member having'a shoulder located zintermediate the ends thereof and'an .outturnedlfiange on one of its ends whereby said tubular -member may be -directly connected to said tubular casing by a flanged nut, said second named principal spring being located between said shoulder and said disk and being biased against both said shoulder and said disk, one of said plunger elements having auxiliary latch springs secured thereto and biased away from said plunger element and adapted to detachably engage said shoulder, said other plunger element being located in the path of said auxiliary springs and said last named element being adapted to disengage said auxiliary springs from said shoulder, said remaining principal spring being located in said sheathing and surrounding said cable, said remaining principal spring being biased toward one plunger element and adapted to actuate the same when the tension on the first named principal spring is sufliciently relaxed.

6. In a camera shutter control means, comprising a flexible sheathing having a flexible cable therein, a tubular casing, a housing and a pulley, in combination with three principal springs and a plunger, said plunger comprising slidably connected plunger elements including means to limit the sliding movement of said elements, one plunger element being solid and the other hollow, in further combination with auxiliary release springs on said solid plunger element, one of said principal springs being located in the housing and connected through the medium of the pulley directly to one end of said cable, the other end of said cable being connected directly to the hollow plunger element, another of said principal springs being centered around the solid plunger element and exerting elongating tension thereon, said remaining principal spring comprising a flexible helical compression spring located within the sheathing and surrounding the flexible cable, said remaining spring being arranged to actuate the cable and the hollow plunger element when sufliciently released by the release of the first named spring in the housing.

7. In a camera. shutter control means comprising a flexible sheathing having a flexible cable therein, a housing, a pulley, a tubular casing, slidably connected plunger elements and three principal springs, one of said plunger elements being hollow and the other being solid, one end of said cable being connected directly to the periphery of said pulley and the other end of said cable being directly connected to said hollow plunger element, one of said principal springs being connected with said pulley and constituting a control means for said pulley and cable, a second principal spring being located within the tubular casing and surrounding the solid plunger element, said tubular casing having a tubular member therein, said tubular member having a shoulder located intermediate its ends and an outturned flange at one of its ends whereby said member may be connected to said tubular casing by suitable means, said solid plunger element having an apertured disk riveted to one of its ends, said second named spring engaging said disk and shoulder and urging said solid plunger element toward shutter actuating position, said solid plunger element having two auxiliary leaf springs connected thereto at one pair of their ends, the free ends of said leaf springs being provided with outwardly extending projections adapted to releasably engage said shoulder and retain said solid plunger element retracted until said projections are released from said shoulder, the remaining principal spring being flexible and compressible and being located in said sheathing and surrounding said cable, said flexible sheathing having an internal shoulder therein intermediate its ends, said remaining spring resting at one of its ends against said internal shoulder and its opposite end being urged into tension relation against said hollow plunger element whereby when said first named spring and pulley are sufficiently relaxed then the remaining spring will propel the hollow plunger element to release the auxiliary leaf springs from the shoulder of the tubular member.

8. In a camera shutter control means, said means comprising a flexible sheathing having a flexible cable therein, the substructure comprising a tubular casing having a tubular member therein, said tubular member having a shoulder located transversely thereof and intermediate the ends thereof, one end of said tubular member being free and arranged concentrically in said tubular casing, the opposite end of said tubular member being provided with an cutturned flange, in combination with a flanged nipple whereby both said member and said nipple may be secured to said tubular casing by a flanged nut, said tubular casing having a plunger therein, said plunger comprising plunger elements slidably connected together for limited movement, one of said elements being solid and the other being hollow, in combination with an apertured disk riveted to the free end of said solid plunger element, a helical compression spring centered about the free end of said tubular member and engaging the disk at one of its ends and the opposite end thereof engaging said shoulder, said solid plunger element having a pair of leaf springs riveted thereto said leaf springs having projections thereon and extending outwardly therefrom to releasably engage said shoulder, and thereby retain said solid plunger element under control until said projections are released from said shoulder, said hollow plunger element being located in the path of said leaf springs and when propelled against said leaf springs they will be simultaneously released from engagement with said shoulder.

STANLEY A. RUSSELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,214,700 Marks Feb. 6, 1917 1,467,218 Wilmoth Sept. 6, 1923 1,472,786 Berggren Nov. 6, 1923 1,709,039 Poirmeur Apr. 16, 1929 2,232,452 Harmon Feb. 18, 1941 2,328,831 Mendelsohn Sept. 7, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 623,151 Germany Aug. 13, 1932 

